Workplace Safety

Have you ever given a “Workplace Safety Quiz?” Imagine the surprise on your employees’ faces when they are handed a “POP QUIZ!” How many of your employees will pass? Just how important is Workplace Safety to your organization? Well, the best judge of that might just be a little quiz.

In addition to workplace safety awareness meetings, workplace safety checklists, daily safety quotes and safety posters you can maximize your organizations focus on safety and test your employees to see if your training is paying off.

In the Risk Management Industry we recommend that you issue two separate quizzes. One quiz, with generic questions, and one with industry specific questions that pertain to you business. The best benefit to two separate quizzes is the surprise of the second quiz. Reinforcing a safety first atmosphere only will benefit your organization in the long run.

When should you issue the safety quizzes? Well, the first should correlate with any recent safety training. A decent rule of thumb is to issue the first workplace safety quiz as many days after the material equal to the number of hours spent on the material. So, if you spent 3 hours in the meeting wait three days before issuing the first POP Quiz. Then try 3-4 weeks later for the follow up quiz. This way you will get an accurate idea of how much safety information they have retained.

Here are a few ideas for questions:

• Who does workplace safety fall upon?
• Should all injuries, no matter how small, be reported to a supervisor?
• Can you be disciplined for not wearing required workplace safety equipment if required to do so?
• Is a messy area, a safe and acceptable work environment?
• Is workplace safety merely common sense or is it a waste of time to execute workplace safety training?
• Should employees be trained on how to use a ladder properly?
• Is there an accident plan?
• Are their special procedures for physically impaired employees?
• Is the floor covering used more than any other part of the building?
• Is it safe to use a chair, table, or desk as a ladder as long ass the person using it has a spotter?
• Does cleaning and disinfecting surfaces prevent mold?
• Should carpet be installed in areas where there is a moisture problem to “soak it up” ?
• Is a common cause of injuries related to a messy, disorganized workplace?
• Do careless workers pose a safety risk to others workers, or only to themselves?
• Is replacing burnt out light bulbs a good way to deter crime?
• Does adherence to dress code facilitate safety?
• Can police assess the safety and security risks of your workplace?
• Is a clean, neat, and organized workplace a crime deterrent?
• Should sign-in sheets and badges be required for vendors and visitors?
• Should employees be trained to check vehicles in high risk areas?
• Are inexpensive crime deterrents often effective?
• Should employees attempt to discern empty threats from real threats?
• What are the most common causes of roof failure?
• Should you wear sneakers, leather boots, or steel toed boots to the worksite?
• Are you authorized to enter a restricted area?
• When working on a scaffold, should you use fall arrest equipment, a guard rail, or both?
• Should you wear your safety equipment, even if you are on break?
• If there is a spill, whose responsibility is it to clean it up?
• What amount of electricity can seriously harm a person?
• What amount can harm a person?
• What should you do if you discover an exposed wire?
• What should you do if someone gets electrocuted?
• What kind of electrical safety equipment should be used in the workplace?
• In the event of a fire, should you use the escalator or elevator or stairs?
• Can simply anyone operate a fire extinguisher?
• Should gasoline for lawn tools be stored in special containers?
• Should exterior doors be chained or padlocked to prevent inappropriate use of them?

If you are looking for some more ideas please reach out to your Cravens Warren Risk Manager.

Take your employees back to that awkward time in High School and administer a POP QUIZ!